21 years of Kaun Banega Crorepati: Siddhartha Basu shares how the present was created with Amitabh Bachchan

The yr was 2000, and the calendar confirmed July 3. As the clock struck 9 pm, historical past was made with the launch of Kaun Banega Crorepati on Star Plus. The Indian adaptation of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? created a storm with contestants tackling inquiries to win the large prize cash of Rs 1 crore. Hosted by Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, it additionally began the development of movie stars internet hosting sport reveals on the small display.
Over the years, KBC, because it’s fondly known as by viewers, has seen many desires coming true, with contestants taking dwelling prize cash working into crores. The recognition of the present stays unmatched, and it nonetheless resonates with viewers of all age teams.
As the present turns 21 right now, producer Siddhartha Basu talks about creating the present, getting Amitabh Bachchan on board and criticism that comes its approach.
Excerpts from the dialog:
How did the thought of getting Who Wants to Be a Millionaire to India come about?
Star Plus was turning into a Hindi channel from July 3, 2000, and so they wanted an enormous present to drive viewership day after day. At that point, they have been a distant third within the scores, behind Zee and Sony. WWTBAM was making waves internationally, and that’s why they picked it.

How did you all zero in on Amitabh Bachchan because the host? What was his first response to the supply?
That suggestion got here from Sameer Nair, VP, Star Plus Programming at the moment. No megastar had hosted a TV present in India, or anyplace else for that matter. The intention was to make the largest bang attainable. Amitabh Bachchan took a while to make up his thoughts about doing TV and was typically being counselled not to take action. However, he determined to see the recording of the unique present in London earlier than making up his thoughts. Once he noticed it, he determined to do KBC with one rider that we replicate the circumstances and self-discipline of that present. There was no trying again, and the size and scope of reveals on Indian TV expanded exponentially.
What are the issues that Big B mentioned no to for KBC?
Nothing actually. Initially, he had reservations about speaking about himself and getting private with contestants. He opened up slowly and now totally enjoys interacting with folks from all walks of life.
While now folks pray to get an opportunity to be on KBC, how robust was it to get contestants for the primary season?
It wasn’t an issue in any respect. There weren’t many mobiles round at the moment, and the gateway was landlines, which saved threatening to crash as such was the frenzy to get on the present. AB and the prize cash drove the frenzy from the second the present was introduced.

I learn that the prize cash was initially Rs 1 lakh. How did it go from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1 crore? And did you’re feeling any stress with this big quantity at stake?
That worth of Rs 1 crore as the highest prize was set by Rupert Murdoch himself because it was then unprecedented on Indian TV and a game-changer, which he mentioned was out of attain of the opponents. KBC stays probably the most bountiful present ever in India with hitherto unmatched payouts. The prize cash was one a part of such an enormous present — the open mass participation, the know-how, the finances, the expectation — all have been larger than something tried until then. So sure, you wager it was extremely tense, however then the problem was much more thrilling.

Over the years, KBC has been criticised for promoting sob tales. What is your tackle the identical?
KBC has by no means been simply one other quiz present. The human story has at all times mattered, and that’s what created the feeling of the primary season in India, based mostly on which Vikas wrote his ebook Q&A. It’s by no means been solely sob tales although on KBC. If folks get emotional, that’s not engineered. That’s pure on a life-changing present earlier than an enormous viewers and a larger-than-life host. There is a big vary of individuals from throughout the size of India on KBC telling partaking and relatable tales about peculiar Indians. It’s a present that touches lives with the guts in addition to the thoughts.
Shah Rukh Khan stepped in because the host of season 3 of Kaun Banega Crorepati. (Photo: Express Archive)
While the present has had profitable seasons in different languages with totally different hosts, what do you assume didn’t work for KBC Season 3 with Shah Rukh Khan because the host?
What didn’t work with SRK was the comparability with AB. I feel SRK did KBC in his personal approach with allure and wit, and so far as I do know, it garnered good scores. We have executed three reveals with SRK, and I imagine he is among the most pure TV hosts who can assume on his toes. But let’s face it, AB will at all times be the ABC of KBC, and on this present, these are very huge footwear to fill.

When you look again, what has been the largest problem and achievement of helming KBC?
Keeping each episode related, contemporary and interesting on the degree and scale {that a} present of this dimension calls for.

If you would return in time, would you alter something about KBC?
Retrospectively, no. But the trouble to be taught, enhance and impression is an ongoing course of.